Building Connections 2024
Programme Information
Locations
We are accepting applications from delivery partners anywhere in England. However, we would particularly like to encourage applications from organisations based close to Coca-Cola sites: Wakefield – Yorkshire/Leeds; Edmonton – North London (Tottenham)/Edmonton; Sidcup – Bromley /Croydon /Kent; or Nottingham. This will not be the only criteria to consider.
How to Apply
Expressions of Interest should be made via our online portal here. Users will first need to sign up to a new account or log in, and once you have verified your email and signed up, you will be asked to complete your registration and link your account to an organisation. For this application round, applicants should select “administrator” when choosing their relationship (even if the other relationships apply). This will allow the user to apply for grants and programmes. Users should then find the resources, and space to apply for programmes and grants under ‘My account’. If you have any trouble with this, please contact programmes@ukyouth.org.
The deadline for applications is midnight on 5th May 2024. We encourage early applications.
Programme Overview
Building Connections is an employability programme for young people aged 16-25 who are not in education, employment or training or are at risk of being so. The programme enables youth workers to support young people to identify their interests and passions and give them the essential support they need to pursue their future goals. Building Connections is an investment in youth work to enable youth workers to create stronger pathways to employment for young people.
Delivery Partner KPIs
We will discuss and confirm delivery targets during contracting, but as a guide, delivery partners will be contracted to achieve the following KPIs:
- 1 Building Connections event bringing young people, employers and opportunities together
- 40 – 60 young people attend
- 6 CCEP volunteers support the event
- 200-250 Employability Connections with individual young people – these can be part of your existing activity and include one-off/short-term activities, informal group workshops, mentoring, or other interactions around employment, career options, employability, capacity building and activities you enter into with young people that in some way contribute to their aspirational thinking and career planning. These interactions allow a trusted adult who understands a young person’s whole context to inspire them to think about their options, build their confidence, progress their future plans, help them understand the job market, or build awareness of opportunities available to them.
Building local connections to support pathways to employment
Youth workers will receive training on the Community Link Work approach to build partnerships with local employers. Delivery partners will be equipped with the training and knowledge to develop cross-sector partnerships with other youth sector organisations and businesses in their locality. By embedding this Community Link Work approach, youth workers are provided with support to ensure that young people in their communities are given exposure to a range of industries and opportunities to create pathways to employment in their local area.
Funding Available
Delivery targets and funding amounts will be discussed and confirmed with delivery partners following selection of delivery partners, but an indicative guide is as follows:
Funder’s Statement
Holly Firmin, Senior Community Partnerships Manager at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP): “It’s an incredibly sad fact that rising numbers of young people are currently locked out of the job market. At CCEP, we’re committed to supporting these individuals who face barriers to employment, who haven’t been given the chance they need, or who need a bit of confidence to feel empowered to take the next step.
“We’ve been working closely with UK Youth for seven years to provide support and skills training for young people. Our collaborative Building Connections programme aims to champion the power of youth work and unlock opportunities for young people in Great Britain. We’ve been able to leverage our colleagues right across the country, who have truly got stuck into the initiative through their volunteering efforts, and who have been able to see first-hand the impact it’s had on the young people in their local area.
“Building Connections demonstrates the power of partnerships, and through continued collaboration with youth work organisations and other businesses, I believe it has the potential to change outcomes for young people going through tough times, who just need that bit of support to get a foot on the ladder.”
Check what youth workers and young people who have taken part in the programme have said: